Jawaharlal Nehru University

What courses does Jawaharlal Nehru University offer?

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi offers more than 185 programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, delivered through roughly 14 schools and over 50 centres of study. The spread covers UG degrees such as B.Tech, B.Sc and B.A. (Hons), PG degrees including M.Tech, M.Sc, M.A., MCA, MBA and MPH, and a deep doctoral programme (Ph.D./M.Phil.) for which JNU is nationally known. As a central university established in 1969, JNU is best regarded for International Studies, foreign Languages and Linguistics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, with a newer School of Engineering (set up in 2018) adding B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering.

Admission routes differ by level: UG arts and science seats fill through CUET-UG, the B.Tech intake runs on JEE Main via JoSAA/CSAB counselling, most PG seats use CUET-PG, MBA uses CAT, M.Tech uses GATE, and Ph.D. entry favours UGC-NET/JRF or GATE qualifiers. In a notable 2026 development, JNU has launched a visiting-student collaboration with UC Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science, and Society, with its first cohort beginning Fall 2026.

Course-Wise Fees, Duration & Eligibility (2026)

The table below answers the single most common question an aspirant asks before applying to Jawaharlal Nehru University: what does each programme cost, how long does it run, and what is the entry route? It lists the headline JNU programmes for 2026 with total fee, duration, eligibility and the accepted national exam. Read each row top to bottom; the rightmost column tells you which entrance test to prepare for, while the fee column shows JNU's hallmark affordability for a top-ranked central university. Seat intake varies year to year and is finalised in the official e-Prospectus, so confirm exact numbers there.

The clear takeaway is the gap between JNU's centrally subsidised academic programmes and its professional ones. Arts, science and doctoral fees sit in the hundreds-to-low-thousands of rupees for the full course (M.A. and MCA at Rs 677, M.Sc at Rs 692, M.Tech at Rs 740, B.A. at Rs 962, Ph.D. at Rs 1,019 for 2026), making JNU one of the most affordable elite universities in India. By contrast, the professionally oriented B.Tech (Rs 5,51,000) and the MBA (Rs 12,00,000) carry market-style fees. For most aspirants this means the entrance exam, not the price tag, is the real barrier to entry.

Flagship & Most Popular Programmes at Jawaharlal Nehru University

JNU's most sought-after programmes are its M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the social sciences and international affairs, anchored by the School of International Studies, the oldest school in the university. These M.A. programmes (2.0 years, Rs 677 for 2026, entry via CUET-PG) feed directly into careers in diplomacy, policy research, journalism and the civil services, which is why they attract some of the highest application volumes nationally despite a token fee.

Languages and International Studies

JNU was the first Indian university to offer integrated foreign-language degrees, and its School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies (established 1969) remains the only place in India offering teaching and research across most major international languages, including Chinese, French, Arabic, Russian, Japanese and Spanish. The B.A. (Hons) Foreign Language programmes (3.0 years, Rs 962 for 2026, via CUET-UG) are a flagship UG draw, prized by aspirants targeting translation, foreign service and global media roles.

Sciences, Engineering and the UC Berkeley link

On the science side, the M.Sc programmes (2.0 years, Rs 692 for 2026, via CUET-PG) in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences are highly competitive and research-intensive. The B.Tech in CSE and ECE (4.0 years, Rs 5,51,000 for 2026, via JEE Main and JoSAA/CSAB) from the School of Engineering is JNU's newest flagship, established in 2018. Crucially, JNU has now announced an academic collaboration with UC Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science, and Society: selected JNU undergraduates with backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, statistics and related fields can study at UC Berkeley for one or two semesters, earning academic credit toward their JNU degree plus a UC Berkeley certificate, with the first cohort beginning Fall 2026. This positions JNU's computing and data-oriented UG students for genuinely global exposure.

Doctoral research

The Ph.D. (5.0 years, Rs 1,019 for 2026, entry favouring UGC-NET/JRF or GATE) is arguably JNU's signature offering; the university runs one of India's largest doctoral cohorts and was ranked 2nd in the NIRF University category in both 2024 and 2025, and 21st in the Research category in 2025, underscoring why research scholars rate it so highly.

How to Choose the Right Course at Jawaharlal Nehru University

Choose your JNU course by matching the entrance exam you can realistically clear to the career it unlocks, because at JNU the exam is the gate, not the fee. If your goal is diplomacy, policy, academia or the civil services, the M.A. and Ph.D. tracks in the School of International Studies and the social-science centres (CUET-PG and NET/JRF routes) are the strongest fit and remain almost free at Rs 677 and Rs 1,019 respectively for 2026. If you want a globally portable career in tech or data, target the B.Tech (JEE Main, Rs 5,51,000 for 2026) and aim for the UC Berkeley visiting-student route launching Fall 2026.

Research-minded science students should weigh the M.Sc (Rs 692, CUET-PG) as a launchpad into JNU's Ph.D. ecosystem, while those seeking management roles can consider the MBA (CAT, Rs 12,00,000 for 2026). Language aspirants should anchor on the B.A. (Hons) foreign-language degrees (Rs 962, CUET-UG), unique to JNU's national standing. Across every level, JNU's consistent NIRF University rank of 2 (2024 and 2025) means the brand value is high; the practical decision is simply which national entrance test fits your profile and timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions: Jawaharlal Nehru University Courses 2026

What courses does Jawaharlal Nehru University offer in 2026?

JNU offers more than 185 programmes across UG, PG and doctoral levels in 2026. At UG level it offers B.Tech, B.Sc and B.A. (Hons); at PG level M.Tech, M.Sc, M.A., MCA, MBA and MPH; plus a large Ph.D. programme. These run through about 14 schools and 50-plus centres, with particular strength in International Studies, foreign Languages, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences. Admission is via CUET-UG, CUET-PG, JEE Main, CAT, GATE or UGC-NET depending on the programme.

What is the fee for the MBA at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

The MBA at JNU has a total fee of Rs 12,00,000 for the 2026 intake and runs for 2.0 years. Eligibility is a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, and admission is through the CAT entrance exam. It is one of JNU's two professionally priced programmes, alongside the B.Tech; most other JNU degrees are heavily subsidised as it is a central university.

How long is the B.Tech course at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

The B.Tech at JNU is a 4.0-year programme with a total fee of Rs 5,51,000 for 2026. It is offered by the School of Engineering (established 2018) in Computer Science & Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering. Entry requires 10+2 with PCM and a qualified JEE Main score, with seats allotted through JoSAA/CSAB counselling. JNU has also launched a UC Berkeley visiting-student route for eligible UG students starting Fall 2026.

What is the eligibility for M.A. admission at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

For the M.A. at JNU you need a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% and a qualified CUET-PG score. The programme runs 2.0 years and costs just Rs 677 for the full course in 2026. M.A. degrees, especially through the renowned School of International Studies, are among JNU's most competitive and most applied-for programmes because of their strong pathways into policy, diplomacy and academia.

Which course is best at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

The M.A. and Ph.D. programmes in International Studies and social sciences are widely considered JNU's best, reflecting its NIRF University rank of 2 in both 2024 and 2025. For tech-focused students the B.Tech (Rs 5,51,000, 2026) is the rising flagship, boosted by the new UC Berkeley collaboration starting Fall 2026. The right choice depends on your target career: research and policy favour M.A./Ph.D., while computing and data favour B.Tech.

What is the eligibility and fee for Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

The JNU Ph.D. requires a master's degree with a minimum of 55%, with UGC-NET/JRF or GATE qualification preferred for admission. The programme is structured over 5.0 years and costs only Rs 1,019 for 2026, reflecting JNU's central-university subsidy. JNU runs one of India's largest and most respected doctoral cohorts and was ranked 21st in the NIRF Research category in 2025, making it a top destination for research scholars.

What are the science PG courses and fees at Jawaharlal Nehru University?

JNU offers the M.Sc (2.0 years, Rs 692 for 2026) and MCA (2.0 years, Rs 677 for 2026) at PG level, both admitting through CUET-PG. M.Sc eligibility is a B.Sc with minimum 50%, while MCA requires a bachelor's degree with Mathematics. These science PG degrees feed JNU's strong Life Sciences and Physical Sciences research base and serve as a launchpad into its doctoral programmes; an MPH (2.0 years, via CUET-PG) is also offered for public-health aspirants.

Recent Updates (2026)

JNU announced a new academic collaboration with UC Berkeley's College of Computing, Data Science, and Society. Selected JNU undergraduate students with backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, statistics, and related fields can study at UC Berkeley for one or two semesters, earning academic credit toward their JNU degree plus a UC Berkeley certificate. The first cohort is set to begin Fall 2026.